FORT WORTH — It wasn't a first US$1-million Bassmaster Classic win but it was still a best-ever result for Canadian Cory Johnston.
Johnston, of Peterborough, Ont., posted a fifth-place finish in pro bass fishing's premier event. Johnston weighed four fish for 12 pounds 10 ounces Sunday and 58 pounds seven ounces overall.
American Easton Fothergill, 22, captured the $300,000 winner's prize and Ray Scott Trophy with 76 pounds 15 ounces over the three-day tournament.
Johnston, who won his first two Elite Series events last season, headed into Sunday's final in second spot. However, he was more than eight pounds behind Fothergill.
"I made a lot of casts and only had four bites all day," he aid. "That's just the way it goes.
"I know I was around them, I know I made the right decisions but at the end of the day it is what it is."
Johnston competed in his sixth Classic and his previous best finish was sixth last year.
Johnston was attempting to become just the second Canadian to win the prestigious title. Jeff Gustafson of Kenora, Ont., went wire-to-wire for the victory in 2023 on the Tennessee River in Knoxville, Tenn., which will host the 2026 Classic.
Johnston's brother, Chris, also of Peterborough, finished eighth with 55 pounds 15 ounces. His five-fish limit Sunday weighed 18 pounds 11 ounces.
But Johnston, the Elite Series' defending overall champion, could only wonder about what might've been had his opening day been better. Johnston started the tournament weighing four fish for 13 pounds 15 ounces and lost a 3 1/2-pound bass that came back to haunt him.
"I keep looking back to my Day 1 and it's my own fault," he said. "I was being a little sissy, I was trying to lip a bass at the side of the boat, it was like a 3 1/2-pounder at the start of the day.
"But looking back, 3 1/2 pounds goes a long way in this tournament when you're only getting five, six bites a day."
But Johnston moved up 20 spots into ninth overall Saturday with a five-fish bag that weighed 23 pounds five ounces. It also qualified him for Sunday's final.
Johnston was also making a sixth Classic appearance. His best finish was fifth in 2022 but he's now recorded three top-10 efforts overall.
Gustafson and Cooper Gallant, of Bowmanville, Ont., also competed in the event. Gustafson was 29th (26 pounds three ounces), while Gallant finished 41st (20 pounds 10 ounces).
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 23, 2025.
The Canadian Press
